Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Welfare and Dagging Practice

Dagging (removing dag-soiled wool from around the perineum) is important for preventing fly strike and maintaining sheep comfort. Regular dagging is a welfare responsibility.

Key Facts

Dag accumulation creates conditions conducive to blowfly strike
Dagging removes soiled wool from the breech, reducing strike risk
Breed differences in dag accumulation affect dagging frequency requirements
Mechanical dagging equipment improves efficiency and consistency
Poor dagging technique can cause skin cuts increasing infection risk

Welfare Considerations

Regular dagging is a basic welfare responsibility that prevents fly strike. Farms failing to dags appropriately risk catastrophic welfare harm from blowfly strike during fly season.

What You Can Do

Establish regular dagging as part of flock health management
Learn correct dagging technique to avoid causing skin trauma
Increase dagging frequency during periods of high fly strike risk
Include dagging in welfare audits as a basic preventive measure indicator